Oh baby!

Dear Elijah,
These are exciting times my boy... You are pretty much doing all these new things right before my eyes. I notice every little thing that is new that you do! Probably because I hardly ever take my eyes off of you ;) heehee. You have been gaining so much more control in your arms and hands, you hold up your head so good now, and you are being held like a big boy. You have a lot more personality, and you definitely know what you like and what you don't like. You let out a scream, or a laugh!!! YES, I SAID LAUGH!!! It's been slowly sneaking up on us. You would give a little chuckle here and a squeal there... But now, as of two days ago, I can MAKE you laugh by tickling your neck, or playing peek a boo!!! Wooohooooooo! You finally think we are funny enough to laugh! Makes me cry happy tears when I hear your cute laugh. It's the best! We have been going like EVERY Saturday and Sunday Open House Hunting! It's our newest hobby ;) Super fun, and we love seeing all these amazing homes that are tucked away in San Pedro. Your daddy and I grew up in San Pedro, and we still find ourselves in neighborhoods we never knew existed! And these crazy HUGE mansions in the middle of a normal neighborhood. It's really cool, and you are with us when we go on these excursions! All the agents think you're so cute ;)
So the other day I asked your dad, "so.... should I take him to go get professional pictures done? Isn't that what we are supposed to do?" Hahaha... He said, "NO! You take such great pictures, we will never need to go elswhere, you can just take them!" I was soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo flattered. Your daddy thinks I can do anything, but I wasn't sure that I could capture your cuteness and didn't know if you would hold still, blah blah blah... So we decided to do a "photo session" with you and your daddy said he would help me!So I set up our living room like a little studio :) and I would tell your daddy how to place you in the picture, and you were soooooooooooooooooooooo good. You usually clam up when a camera comes out, and make the most serious faces when you see one. But for this session, you were just in your own little world, and I love how the pictures came out!
Mommy has to always keep a good eye on you, because you picked up this new habit of grabbing any piece of material around you, and pulling it over your face! You LOVE doing this, and it's actually really funny! you pull your blankets over your face and look so cozy, until mommy has to come pull them off. haha to cute.

Pure Joy!!!

Dear Elijah,

Hey you! Ok, so I have become one of those people... One of those mommy's... One of the most proud, joyful, happy, parents EVER!!! I never thought that I would be this crazy about something in my life! You have taken over my facebook page, and it basically belongs to you now :) It's so hard not to go posting pictures of you everywhere because I truly can't take it all in myself. Thank Jesus for family and friends to share in this joy with me! I light up when people delight in you, because I LOVE you so much and now feel so much love for other peoples kids as well. I know how it feels to love your baby so much, that you want every baby in the world to feel loved at all times! Speaking of babies, you happen to be related to theeeeeee cutest babies! You just spent some time with cute little Stephen who is just a doll and such a joy to be around. Then yesterday I was thinking of my cousin Cathe, so I texted her and got a sweet surprise! I was sent the cutest picture of your little cousin Gavin! He is just beautiful! Then there is your cousin Hannah who is still a baby going on two years! Babies, babies babies! I love em! You are so sweet Elijah. I'm loving this time with you 3 months old, and into your 4th month! I enjoy just watching you, and listening to you, and smelling you and playing with you, and holding you!!! Ahhh, it's the best! I love hearing when mommies enjoy their babies, and so it's very encouraging hearing my cousin say that Gavin brings them so much joy. Also, to hear your daddy's cousin say that she loves being a mommy, and to see her love for him in her eyes. It's so encouraging to see your Auntie Tiff with her three girls, and how she enjoys them so much. It's also nice to see how much your cousin Nic is loved by your Auntie Jess, and Uncle C.J. I'm surrounded by great parents and sweet babies, and wonderful kids. Taking it in, just taking it in. I know I will love you at every stage, but I love being able to soak in this baby stage right now ;) Someday I will be writing about how much I love my little kindergartner, or 2nd grader! EEEEEEeeeeeks... One day at a time! Hahahaha. I love you baby boy. Gosh your cute :)

tonight is the last night of Vacation Bible School :)

You and I have had fun hanging out watching everyone participate :)

not really your first V.B.S. yet since you can't participate, but your first time being around for one :)

Family love and fun mornings!

Dear Elijah,
Hey there baby boy! You are sleeping right next to me right now. Last night I was rocking you to sleep because you were so tired that you became restless and cranky. I finally got you to drift off to a peaceful sleep and then your dad, A.K.A. the big bad wolf, sneezed sooooooooooooooooooo loud it scared you awake! You started crying again, and I gave your daddy "the look" hahahaha. Your daddy felt so bad, but you ended up going to sleep about 20 minutes after, so it all worked out :)
You have been making these crazy sounds. Soooooooooooooooooooooo cute! You sit in your play mat and you make these like, playful, high pitch screaming sounds. I can't really call them squeals anymore. It is the funniest thing to watch you do. You try to grab thing now, and can usually hold onto them for a while before you ether let them drop or fling them down. You like your little blue bee to chew on, but you can't hold it to your mouth for than long. You also like to suck on these squishy letters at your grandma Hollands house :)
This morning you took a bath and I seriously laughed the whole time! I basically hold your head out of the water while you splash splash splash! You LOVE bath time and would stay in there forever if we let you ;) I call you my little fishy because you would go swimming if mommy let you. You look like you are just waiting to be able to swim on your own! Hahahahaha... Sooooooooooooooo, this morning your mommy was out of luck or something because I got hurt a lot. I put you in your play mat so you could pay with your toys and kick around, and then decided to get some cuddle time in with your daddy before he had to leave for work. We were hanging out on our bed, and he went to kiss mommy but somehow poked me in the eye ball with his spiky chin!!! OUCH! It really hurt, but I could help but laugh. I hate that, because I want him to know that he hurt me, but it's to funny not to laugh! Uhg!!! Hahahahaha, he was laughing so hard as if it was the funniest thing he had ever seen :/ Maybe when you are a little bigger we can gang up on daddy! Are you with me!!!? Hahaha. Then, I left the room to check on you really quick because when your a mom all of the sudden you think that books, picture frames, and couches can fly and somehow make it to your baby who is in the middle of the room :/ (can't help it). haha...  You were fine, so I ran back into our bedroom and was going to jump on daddy because he was laying on his stomach and wouldn't have seen it coming (muahahaha), but little did I know he was about to get up and readjust... :/ SMACK! He almost knocked the wind out of me!Hahahaha, I rolled to the side, and was laugh/crying but I lived... Then I heard you let out a little cry so we looked at each other and your dad says, "I'll get him!" and I said... "No, I'll get him!" The race began!!! We both wanted to hold you and were about to race down the hall for you. WELL, YOUR DAD, took a cheap shot and tried to pull the bedroom door shut and it slammed into my entire thigh!!! RUDE! hahahahahahahaha... It hurt, but once again I was on the floor laughing. He felt bad... But in the end, I got to hold you!!! Victory! Hahahaha... We love you...
Well, this last week your cousins Missy and Stephen were in town! It was so much fun seeing them and getting to hang out with them. He is such a cutie, and you guys exchanged a few words (high pitch screams) with each other. He tried to take your socks off, and wanted to touch your face a lot. Hahaha, but you just wanted to stare at him. The both of you are so cute though, and it was nice to see you interact with another baby. You guys are only like 6 months apart. :) We hope to see them again soon! Have a safe strip back to Oregon :)

Also, this last Sunday we celebrated pop's birthday! He is your very sweet great grandpa ;) That was super fun, and always very cool seeing everyone. Then last night was V.B.S. at our church and since your daddy is helping with it, you and I tagged along to walk around and see all the fun going on! It was so cool Elijah, and I can;t wait till you can participate :) Your daddy was up on stage dancing like a crazy man, and what was funny is he was doing the dance that makes you and I laugh ans smile at home. Hahahahaha, it sure worked on all the kids there too ;) Good thing you are too young to be embarrassed ;) hahaha. We got to stand in the back at the end of V.B.S. and listen to the songs, see daddy shoot panda bears across the room, and watch all the kids dancing around. It was awesome.
Oh, and yesterday at work your daddy text me a picture of the cutest cup!  It was a cup with your name on it! It is so cute and I can't wait till you can start using it ;) It is from a very nice guy names Ben! He saw it and got it for you, and seriously blessed my heart! I thought it was so sweet that he did that for you.
Well, I better go now my love. You just woke up and I have to scoop you up and kiss you!

big boy trying to sit up :)

eating your blue bee :)

You, pop, and cousin Stephen

small prayers and 4th of July...

Dear Elijah, 

I want to start with a prayer for you:

Dear God, I thank you so much for this day, and another day with my baby Eli. Thank you so much for such a precious and priceless gift. Thank you for choosing Michael and I to be Elijah's parents and please give us the strength and wisdom to raise him up to be a godly man. We ask for your mercy, grace and encouragement along the way, and that Elijah's faith will be nurtured by the singing of your praises and the mention of your name. I love you so much, and I am so humbled by your greatness. You are so good, and we praise you for all that you are. We are so blessed by you, and seriously can not fully understand all the love you have shown this family. Your love surrounds us, and you are so faithful. I pray that we as a family could remain faithful to you. Thank you for my husband, baby boy, friends and family. In Jesus name, Amen.

Hey baby boy! well let's see... We had a super great 4th of July! First we met up with Nina, Uncle C.J., Uncle Oscar, Auntie Erica, and Erica's parents! We ate lunch with them, and got to visit for a while. Then you, your daddy and I headed up to your daddy's families place to visit with your grandma and grandpa Holland, and grandma's family. It's always fun spending time with family ;) and it's nice to be able to get to know your grandma Hollands aunts and cousins, they are very sweet. Your great grandma Darleen was there too! After that, us 3 headed to Denny's for a chocolate shake! Yummo! It was so nice on a hot day ;) Then we went home to pack and headed over to your grandma and grandpa Hollands house for a fun evening. We were planning on staying the night there because our apartment was super loud the following night with cherry bombs going off right outside our windows. The loud sounds were scaring you, and jolting you awake, so we thought it might be a little better at your grandparents house ;) Plus, we like hanging out with them! The cool thing was, we got a sweet surprise when your uncle Jimmy called and said that him, auntie Tiff and the girls were coming over too! It was a perfect 1st 4th for us as a new family, and it was so fun to watch your cousins get so excited over the fireworks. Such a fun night! We spent the night, and you slept very well ;) 

These days you are noticing your limbs a lot more. Hahahahahahaha, and it's so funny to watch! You will stare are your arm with an expression like, "is that connected to me?" It's so cute! I caught you staring intensely at your toes yesterday for quite a while; laughed and told your daddy to look. This morning you were waving your arms around, stopped and looked very interested in your wrist. You have been making the funniest sounds simply because you can! Hahahahaha. You make this very funny sounding scream, and shock yourself when you do it... Hahahaha... I call you my little fickle friend because you will go from happy to sad in a split second! For example... You were sitting quietly and sweet in your sleeper, and I asked you if you were getting hungry... You looked at me and lost it! You started to cry so hard, and I could not help but chuckle... Then your daddy was walking by your sleeper and saw that you were being so happy and sweet, so he leaned over and said, "hey handsome guy," and you stuck out your bottom lip, and started crying so hard! It really if so crazy to watch. I sit there sometimes with a shocked look on my face saying to your daddy, "oh my gosh, he is so funny! I mean, he was just so happy and now he is throwing the biggest fit EVER!" Honey... Elijah... You can throw a fit at 3 months old... It's true. I set you down for a second, just like 3 seconds while I grabbed something, and you kicked out your legs, kicked out your arms, and started screaming at the top of your lungs and turned red! I picked you up right away, and you stopped and were totally fine! OMGosh!!!!! You know what you want, and when you want it! Hahahahaha... Daddy say's you take after mommy in that way, but I don't know... Haha... 

Yesterday we had a fun day with your uncle Jake! I picked him up and we headed to the park above friendship park. It's an open area with s great view of the harbor and the ocean! Also, it has a nice breeze. So me and uncle Jake set up our little beach tent (which took us forever because we just couldn't get it right) and we all three sat in there and played and talked. It was soooooooooooooooo relaxing, and you LOVE being outside and feeling a nice breeze on your face ;) You were so happy just kicking around, and smiling at your uncle Jake. Then the three of us went to starbucks and visited there for a while. I took pictures of you guys, and let me tell you, you both are such handsome guys ;) Ok, well, I love you very much sweet buns!

 

Hike up and up and up!

Dear Elijah,
Well, you are still the cutest baby ever! Still have me wrapped around that little tiny finger of yours, and are still my best baby boo. Today after church, I went to change you in the mommy's room, and you made a mess! I somehow had to change you, clean you, and tell your daddy to bring me the diaper bag so that I could put new clothes on you. So after cleaning you up and putting your new diaper on, I opened the door to the sanctuary and yelled at your dad that you "pooped all over the place!" Hahahahaha, I didn't mean to yell it so loud seeing as how there were still a few people left in the church who now all knew our situation. But your daddy was so overtaken by the CUTE sight of you in just a diaper, that all he did was stare at us adoringly. So I stood there with a half naked baby in my arms waiting for your daddy to get a clue and hand me your clothes! Hahahaha... I finally had to get your daddy on my same page, and we got you an your new outfit and all was well again. After that we went to Cocos where your daddy and I ate, and then had some strawberry cheesecake! Yummmmo! You were so good, just sitting there with us taking in the scenery. SUCH and sweet boy you are. Then we decided after that pie we should probably get some exercise! so we took you down to the ocean coast and were walking when we saw a sign for an open house! We LOVE looking at houses and getting an idea of what we will want someday. It's so fun to see how people add on to houses or remodel. We usually go to any open house we see because it's actually really cool to see some of these houses in San Pedro, and we find ourselves in neighborhoods we never knew existed! So today we followed the sign all the way up, and up, and upppppppppppp! We had no idea how far it would be, and it was all up hill. we were so hot and sweaty once we got to the house, and I mumbled to your daddy, this house better be worth it! Hahaha. We got inside and walked around, and it was super cute, and a great view of the ocean of course. I didn't like it for me personally, but appreciated the structure. We ended up talking to the real estate agent who was so nice and she asked us what your name was. We told her you were Elijah, and she paused with a huge smile, and said, "Oh my gosh, are you guys Christians?" We said "yes we are," and she said, well there you go, that's the light I saw in your guys. Then she told us we were a fun couple and you were very blessed, and are going to have lots of fun with us... You hear that Elijah, mommy and daddy are FUN! Always remember that... Hahahahaha. She could not believe we walked all the way up the hills from where we started and could not stop laughing. She gave us water, and then asked if she could pray for us since we will eventually be buying a house, and she said to just keep praying and God will someday help us find a good place for our family. She prayed for us, and asked for God to bless us. It was so refreshing, and so cool that we for some reason didn't turn around and go back because the house was to far. I remember the moment I thought about telling your dad, no way, lets just go back to flat land! Hahaha, but for some reason I got a burst of energy to keep going and we received a prayer and blessing! So cool!!! I thought it was amazing that we decided to go see a house we know we would never buy, and there was really no good reason to be there, and God loves us so much that he had a blessing waiting there for us! (INTERUPTION) your dad just walked into the room with you in his arms saying, "he is content just pretending to eat..." Basically you don't want to be put down, and just want to be held right now, so you are pretending to drink a bottle so that your daddy will just hold you. Hahahaha, smart baby you are... You are my son! I always want your daddy's attention too ;) He has nice cozy arms, I mean who wouldn't pretend to eat if they could set up camp in those arms??? Heehee ;) Your daddy is currently telling you... "I bet Lydia eats all her food... I bet your cousin Gavin eats all his food..." Hahahahahaha Tell him your not hungry and you eat just fine! You just merely want the bottle in your mouth for comfort! Hahahaha. Oh my crazy family. I love you guys ;)
We ended up walking to your great grandpa's house and visiting with your daddy's cousin Jodi, her husband Steve and Pop. It was really fun, and they are all so nice. Jodi gave your daddy a book that she used to read to him when he was little, and she was babysitting. Now daddy can read it to you! It was is favorite book he says, and is called "Miami Mice." To cute!

There you are with daddy's cousin Jodi

There you are with Jodi and your great grandpa! "pop"

your face is killing me...

Dear Elijah,
by now you must know that mommy and daddy think you are the worlds cutest baby! We think you are handsome AND have a great personality ;) Well, now of days you are holding your head up pretty good, although you are still a wee bit wobbly... You are also kicking like you have to train for a Marathon or something! You wave your arms around so fast that in pictures all you see are waves of your limbs flying by. Hahaha... You still have a great appetite, but best of all.................... YOU ARE SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT! Heehee... Lets see how long that will last ;) This has been going on for the past 4 nights. Crazy! You ALMOST laughed again this morning, and let out the tiniest laugh yesterday, but then you held back. So still no luaghter, but I think soon :) You make enough happy sounds to melt mommy's heart though, and I love hearing you talk to your toys hanging above you in your play mat. Oh and just for your information, you have your mommy's belly button! That's right folks, Elijah has MY belly button! You take after your daddy so much that when I see something similar to me, I think it's cool. :) Lets see, you do not enjoy tummy time at all, and when I put you on your tummy, you try to work your neck as much as you can, but then cry for me to save you. I let you cry a tiny bit before I pick you up, but not to much because I don't like it. Sooooooo, you may not be getting 20 minutes a day of tummy time, but I won't tell if you won't tell ;) I do try though, it's just hard to see you trying so hard, and then balling because you hate the position you are in. I try laying you on my tummy, and you prefer tummy time when you are close to me. It's like you are being held, but you are getting tummy time that way. Or I will do "SUPER BABY!!!" with you, which you LOVE, and that works the same muscles in your neck as tummy time does. I love you so much my baby boy. You are growing growing growing, and I am loving and taking in every second of it. I had to retire more outfits this week ;) Such a healthy little guy you are ;) Your personality id really showing more and more. You know what you like and what you don't like. You know how you like to be held, and you are so aware of what is around you now. You look around at everything now which is why I hold you facing out now. Oh, and I love that sometimes you really just want your mommy! It feels so good to know that you just want to be held by me sometimes. You will usually go to anyone who wants to hold you right now, but there are moments where you would just rather be in my arms. I love that! I was holding you yesterday and you were so cozy, in your favorite position, and your grandma started coming close and talking to you... You totally flipped out and started crying like your feeling were so hurt. Your lip stuck out and you had sad eyes. I believe you thought she was going to take you from me, so once I stood up and talked to you, you were just fine. It was hilarious. I couldn't help but laugh. and your grandma was laughing too! You crack me up little one...

This was you this morning before we took daddy to work :)

This was this morning when you first woke up!

The sounds of you...

Dear Elijah,
You smell so good all the time, and I find myself just sitting with you in my arms just smelling your sweet little aroma. I love your feet that fit into the palm of my hand, your little ears that stick out, your lips that are so kissable, your eyes that stare at me so intensely, and your cheeks that are so cute and chubby! I could just eat you up! Today I was sitting on the couch typing, and you were laying right next to me. I glanced at you to see if you were asleep since you were so quiet, but your weren't. You were wide awake just staring at me. Your eyes were locked on my face, and I whispered hello to you, and you just smiled. SOOOOOOOOOOO Cute! I love you, you little handsome face. When you eat, I absolutely LOVE the sound of you gulping! I don;t know what it is, but your little gulps sound so cute. That is one of mommy's favorite sounds you make. That and your happy squeals. You are so close to laughing! Daddy and mommy almost made you laugh the other day, but you pulled back and it turned into a happy noise. We can't get enough of your sweet little sounds. You are finding your voice, and we are finding so much joy in that. We excitedly await the day you find your laughter. I already tear up when you make lots of sweet sounds, and smile, I am going to be a mess when you laugh! I would say, expect tears baby boy, because there is no way your mommy will not cry at the sound of your laughter! The mornings are the best with you! You wake up soooooooooooooooooooooo happy and smile so big at mommy when I peek into your little sleeper. You kick and smile and talk to me when you first wake up. You will usually play with me for a while until you figure out that you are hungry ;) Then you give me warning noises as if to say... "Mom, I'm about to cry now, so you might want to get my breakfast ready." Hahaha. That time is mommy time. A time that only I get to witness, and it's such a beautiful time that I will never take for granted! I enjoy it immensely! Your daddy and I are notorious for yelling at each other to come quick and look!!! "Look babe, Loooook! He smiled!!!" That's us, on a daily basis. Hahaha.

We took you to the beach for the first time last Saturday, and you very much enjoyed yourself. You like being outdoors, and we had you in a little beach tent we got at one of your showers from a family in our church who started up a surf camp for kids who want to learn how to surf. It was a great day! Well I gotta rush!!! We are going to pick up your daddy now from work!

Us at surf camp. Your first beach day!

You and mommy this morning.

Getting so big and holding your head up now!!!

Such a big boy!